A youth basketball group known for developing middle and high school students into strong, hardworking men and women is sharing its skill sets with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens in Richmond Hill.

The New York Jayhawks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2011, will help the kids of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens use basketball as a way to grow on and off the court by building leadership and life-enrichment skills such as responsibility, work ethic, commitment, perseverance, self-discipline and more through several programs.

“I am truly excited about the partnership with the New York Jayhawks because our missions align nicely,” said Asia Blume, program director of teens and athletics for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens. “These types of collaborations are important for the growth of the community, as well as the growth of our children. I feel the connection between a sports program and the community is a necessity for our student athletes to become responsible citizens and to reach their full potential.”

The key program that both the Boys & Girls Club and the Jayhawks will focus on include mentorship programs, college and SAT prep, community service and fundraising. The two agencies recently came together for a project that sent school supplies and bookbags to children in Haiti, Africa and the Dominican Republic.

“The New York Jayhawks are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens and start a new chapter while upholding the principles of mentorship, service, integrity and high academic standards,” said Jay David, executive director of the New York Jayhawks. “Together we can build future leaders who are college ready through mentoring, direct skills training and managing our students to high academic standards.”